Electrochemically growth of Pd doped ZnO nanorods on QCM for room temperature VOC sensors

Pristine and various palladium (Pd) doped ZnO nanorods have been synthesized on the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for volatile organic compound (VOCs) sensors at room temperature. The doping concentrations were varied from 0 mol% to 2.5 mol% by using electrochemical deposition method. The diameters of the fabricated nanorods were in the range of 100-200 nm, and were increased with Pd doping. The tested VOCs included alcohols (ethanol, methanol, isopropyl), ester (ethyl acetate), aromatic (toluene, xylene), ketone (acetone) and chloroform in the different concentrations. The results indicated that the sensitivity of the sensing materials was enhanced with the increasing Pd doping concentrations except for the acetone and chloroform. The undoped ZnO nanorod sensor showed higher sensor response against to acetone and chloroform while exposing high concentration of two analytes due to the absorbing/adsorbing mechanism. All undoped and Pd doped nanorods sensors showed the highest sensitivity to xylene.